Interview with BELITH - FILTHY DOGS OF METAL

27 May

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about BELITH (Members, Starting Year etc).
Milena: Hey! Let me introduce Belith. Andrzej - Vocals, Maria - Guitar, Kalina - Bass and Milena - Drums. We were formed at the end of 2024. Me, Kalina and Maria started playing some covers just for fun. After just one rehearsal we decided to make our own music. We had two different vocalists before Andrzej (shout out to Iza and Arek), but it wasn't a match. After I found Andrzej, we started to make our EP "Hounds Of Hell". Also many people don't know what is the meaning behind our band name, and are trying to figure it out, so let me clear this up. Our name - Belith came from my dogs name - Belit. Our whole band is based on her, and the song called "Belith" isn't about any demon, it's about the dog.

You are going to release your debut EP ''Hounds of Hell''. Tell us a few things about this project.
Kalina: It's really just a mix of our different tastes and how each of us sees music. Everyone brings something unique to the table, so even though it's the same four people, every track ends up a little different. We're still exploring and finding our own direction.

And what about the lyrics?
Andrzej: I focused the narrative around Belith portraying her as a vengeful demonic entity leading a bloodlusted herd to battle oppressors of freedom, personifications of greed, manipulation and hunger for power who stand for authoritarian governments and all religions as I find them responsible for most of the misfortunes the humankind.

How did your cooperation with Godz Ov War Productions occur? What do you prefer, label or DIY and why?
Milena: From the beginning, we didn't want to release the EP on our own, because we don't know anything about it. I was responsible for sending our material to labels and Godz Ov War was such a main goal for us, which we did not expect to achieve, but here we are.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Andrzej: Our second show was very important for us as we were going to support Tassack and Okrütnik which are well established bands in Polish underground and the opportunity to play together with them was of huge value to me. That said when I woke up that day I found myself immediately rushing to the toilet to discharge from both sides. First I thought it might be because of the stress but it only got worse and worse while I still decided to go and play the show anyway. By the time we hit the venue I already puked 7 times and then started shaking because of the fever and realised I caught a monster of a stomach flu. It was clear that it's over for me and Eryk from Okrütnik was getting ready to hop behind the mic to replace me. While half jokingly we thought of going to the hospital and snatching a drip with some medicine we decided to give it a go and not even a full hour before the show after explaining the situation to the doctor I got hit with 3 syringe shots up my ass and to my surprise they brought me back to life. 5 minutes before the show I entered the venue and we managed to play the whole thing while I sweated like coked up Stevie Ray Vaughan. After that I'm not afraid of anything getting in the way to stop us from playing anymore and I'm definitely not gonna ever forget that.

Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Andrzej: I don't think that there was any direct influence, but I can say that Sodom, Dissection, Marduk, Mgłan and Hellripper are definitely inspirational.

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Maria: I believe that every member should be equally involved in the project so that it can move forward. I hope it won't sound too dramatic if I say that I sacrifice everything to the band but its partcially true. I practice almost everyday regardless how I feel, although I could do many things instead of playing the same songs until they sound good enough. I put my entire energy into writing riffs, trying to be creative and often end up unsatisfied anyway.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Andrzej: We're yet far from what I believe we're able to deliver who I don't think there exists one perfect scenario for a good show, better yet in my opinion it's also dependent on the audience. The band as well as the fans have to dive purely into music. If the band hits their expectations perfectly their behaviour would tend to be the measurement of quality of the performance. In our case I hope for absolute mayhem all around the venue so I hope to play in Latin America one day for there people really give their whole hearts in.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Everyone: We feel like it was kind of inevitable, you know? We'd be lying if we said we're not a bit bitter about how popular AI music is getting, especially in Poland. But honestly, most of it still sounds pretty rough, so we are not too worried about AI taking over live shows anytime soon.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to a new metal band? What should they avoid or focus on?
Everyone: It's hard for us to give advice since we are still figuring things out. But we think the most important thing is to treat music as your escape - a space where you can pour your emotions, your energy, your heart into it. Don't chase money too hard. Let your music have some soul and meaning.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Poland (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Andrzej: Polish metal underground is doing great. So many bands keeping the high quality of their records and performing sick shows despite not aiming at commercial success. I think partially responsible for it are labels like our Godz ov War that allow any decent band to reach their specific audience. Journalism also keeps the scene alive. Notable are for example Radio Czwórka, inviting many bands for entertaining live interviews or journalistic collectives like Metal Music Attack associating many passionate people who live and breathe metal.

What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Andrzej: For me metal is simply the way of life. Nothing gives me that much inner strength. Nothing can make me stay all night just to discuss over a few beers new albums by my favourite bands with people I just met on some festival. The freedom of thought that I achieve simply from experiencing music and the adrenaline in the moshpit one does not simply trade for anything else. My favourite records include:

Rust in Peace (Megadeth)
Storm of the Lights Bane (Dissection)
Painkiller (Judas Priest)
With Hearts Towards None (Mgła)
Coagulating Darkness (Hellripper)
Human (Death)
Chemical Assault (Violator)
Pleasure to Kill (Kreator)
Court in the Act (Satan)
The Day of Wrath (Bulldozer)

Kalina: Metal is like a giving force to me. When I discovered it and dwelled deeper, I felt that this is where I belong. My taste in music changes every season, but some albums I come back to are:

„Klechdy" (Thy Worshiper),
„No Mercy for Mayhem" (Midnight),
„Legion Antychrysta" (ökrutnik),
„Remedy" (Spinal Cord),
„Equinoctium" (Solar Dawn),
„Nemesis Divina" (Satyricon)
„Live after Midnight" (Iron Maiden)

But a special in my heart has Black Sabbath that got me into music, especially album „13".

Milena: Metal has been by my side since I was a kid. If I had to choose any albums, it would be the whole Death discography.

Maria: Metal to me can be anything and that is what I love about it. It's like a soundtrack to my life. Some of my favourite albums are:

- "Kill em All" and "Master of Puppets" (Metallica)
- "Blizzard of Ozz" (Ozzy Osbourne)
- "Melissa" (Mercyful Fate)
- "Now, Diabolical" (Satyricon)
- "Black Metal" (Venom)

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Andrzej: I'm familiar with Rotting Christ, Zemial, Nightfall, Suicidal Angels, Varathron, Necromantia and Septicflesh.

What are your future plans?
Milena: At the moment we are writing material for the LP. We plan to give more concerts, maybe even do a tour.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Everyone: Thank you!

By Steve the Filthy Dog.